The George G. and Alva Hudson Smith Foundation has announced its grant awards for 2023. The George G. and Alva Hudson Smith Foundation has awarded $110,000 to seven organizations across Hill County in 2023—including Blum, Covington, Hillsboro, Itasca, Whitney, and Woodbury. In the 29 years since its existence, the Foundation has awarded over $2,957,000 to area organizations which serve the community. 

The 2023 successful grant awards went to a variety of educational, community service, recreational, social service, and emergency response organizations for projects consistent with the Foundation’s mission to enrich the lives of Hill County citizens. Grant amounts ranged from $2600 to $36,500.

Grant recipients in 2023 included the Boys and Girls Club of Hill County, the City of Itasca, the Covington Volunteer Fire Department, Child Protective Services of Hill County, City of Blum Fire and Rescue, Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce, and Woodbury Community Center Association. Grants ranged in amounts from $2,600 to $36,500.

The George G. and Alva Hudson Smith Foundation was established in 1992 by the late Ruth Smith Moorman in memory of her parents for the purpose of enriching the lives of citizens in Hill County.

A list of recipients, amounts, and purposes of this year’s grants includes:

City of Itasca: $24,000

Purchase of equipment to upgrade the basketball court, benches, picnic tables and trees of Crouch Park in Itasca.

Woodbury Community Center Association: $2,600

The Woodbury Community Center was a grant recipient in 2023 for a project to repair the flooring in the kitchen area with vinyl flooring to match the existing flooring in the auditorium area, $2610. The building is used for meetings, community events, and receptions.

Covington Volunteer Fire Department: $17,500

The Covington Volunteer Fire Department was a 2023 recipient of a grant for the purchase of a monitor/defibrillator to replace the current monitor that is no longer serviceable,  $17,500. This new monitor/defibrillator will allow emergency responders to provide the necessary care for citizens of Covington and those in surrounding areas.

Hill County Child Protection Services Board: $10,000

Funding provided for clothing allowances for children in foster care under the care of Hill County Child Protective Services. Children in foster care are provided clothing allowances twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.